Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was very pleased on behalf of the Government to facilitate the passage of the legislation by offering the co-operation of the Government to Senator Lawless on the Bill, which was debated in the House earlier in the year. A number of issues were raised by Seanadóirí in the course of the debate. It is not my intention to address them because we will have a further opportunity to do so. However, in response to Senators' concerns about the Sale of Alcohol Bill, to which reference was made, I wish to state that it is not gathering dust on any shelf anywhere. It will proceed in the next session. I acknowledge what the Taoiseach has said on that in recent times. I also acknowledge, however, that there is further work to be done and that it is unlikely to be enacted in its current form. Like all legislation, it will be subject to rigorous, robust and full debate in the Dáil and also in this House. That is precisely the manner and means by which and through which legislation is enacted.

A number of Senators made reference to workers' rights. It was appropriate that they should do so. I want to acknowledge what this Government has done in that regard, particularly in response to the recently published report of the Low Pay Commission. Workers' rights and workers' pay will continue to be a priority for this Government. I acknowledge again the second increase in the minimum wage. The second increase in the lifetime of this Government has now been agreed and will come into force on 1 January 2018 in the form of an increase of 30 cent per hour. It is modest but it keeps well ahead of inflation and it also underscores commitment on the part of this Government to its objective to ensure that every family will benefit from an economy that continues to grow and from economic progress in recent years that was hard won . During the summer months, when the Seanad goes into recess, the Government will engage at the highest level in respect of the Estimates for departmental spending and the budget that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, looks forward to introducing in the autumn. We will continue to acknowledge the need for wider and broader support for lower-paid workers to achieve the objective of opportunities for all.

I wish to commend the initiative of Senator Billy Lawless, an Independent, with the support of other parties in this House. I commend Seanadóirí and acknowledge the cross-party support. I also acknowledge the contribution of Members of the previous Seanad to the genesis of this legislation. In that regard, I acknowledge the work done by and initiative show in respect of this matter my colleague and friend and former Senator, Imelda Henry. I am pleased to see her present for the enactment here in the Seanad of legislation that she was particularly interested in during the course of her career.

Senator Martin Conway is not here. He made reference to the Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill. It is a Private Members' Bill in the Dáil, which, like the Bill before the House, was not opposed by Government. The Government is currently working on Committee Stage amendments. I will say, for the benefit of those in this House and beyond who are interested, that there will be restrictions in that legislation. The hours of trade will be restricted to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the sale of alcohol in these craft brewery premises will be restricted to those who have participated in tours of the premises. I also understand that consumption on or off a premises would only be applicable to a product that is either brewed or distilled on that premises. This is a Bill that would require a measure of work. However, that is work which we will, I hope, be in a position - by way of the cross-party co-operation and support that facilitated Senator Lawless' Bill - to be able to complete by the end of the year in both Houses. I acknowledge that there is work to be done on that legislation.

I acknowledge the role of Senator Billy Lawless in respect of the Bill before the House, which is important in the context of ensuring that all our legislation is of a type, form and measure that is befitting of a pluralist republic. This legislation is very much in keeping with that objective.